Orthodontic treatment can significantly improve crooked teeth and correct bite problems. While starting treatment is never too late, the best time to get braces is based on an individual’s unique needs. Call the pros at boca Dental and Braces now.
Kids can be evaluated for orthodontic treatment as early as age seven. However, waiting until all primary teeth have fallen out and adult molars are present is generally recommended before beginning treatment.
When kids get their braces, adjusting takes a little time. The summer is the perfect time for them to get accustomed to their new routine before school comes back in the fall, and they have to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and homework with their appointments and new dental care routine.
If you want your child to maintain their newly straightened smile, they must brush and floss their teeth properly. This is difficult to do when they are rushing through their morning routine or tired at the end of a long day of school and activities. During the summer, children have more time to establish a good brushing and flossing routine that they can stick with throughout the year.
Another factor is that kids tend to go through growth spurts in the summer. This is due to the longer days and increased sunlight, but it also means that they will be growing faster in the summer than at other times of the year. This makes it a great time to have their teeth examined and get their braces on before the growth spurt happens so that they can achieve the most effective results from their treatment.
While most kids will be looking forward to returning to school in the fall, they may be less enthusiastic about their new smile if they have to wear braces for the entire year. This can lead to them feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable. By getting their braces on over the summer, they can get used to them and see how amazing their new smile looks before returning to school in the fall.
It is also important to remember that when kids have their braces put on, they will need to come in for regular adjustments and check-ups. This isn’t easy to do in school and often requires them to miss class. By having their braces on during the summer, they can attend all of their appointments and won’t have to worry about missing class in the future.
The fall is a great time to start treatment because routines tend to get back on track after the summer vacation season. This can make it easier to manage appointments and stick with the new maintenance habits required for braces or Invisalign. Also, starting allows you to adjust to the changes before the holidays. This is important because certain foods must be avoided while wearing braces, and during the holiday season, it cannot be easy to maintain healthy eating and oral hygiene habits.
Most dentists and orthodontists recommend that kids get braces between the ages of 9 and 14. This is before they have gone through puberty, and teeth and tissues will be more pliable and flexible to help with treatment.
It’s also less likely that kids will need to deal with many adult teeth growing at this age, which can complicate the process. Additionally, this age range usually allows for more affordable orthodontic options, like ceramic or clear braces, which are less noticeable than metal braces.
Children may need braces to address issues like gaps between teeth, or an overbite (when the top jaw is larger than the bottom), which can be caused by thumb sucking, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, and other issues. In some cases, the need for braces is inherited simply due to the shape of the child’s face.
Kids might also need braces to correct a crooked smile or because they have bad posture due to overlapping or crowded teeth. Some kids might also need other devices like headgear to apply more pressure or provide a better fit.
Getting braces in the winter is great for children with school-year schedules. Having a flexible summer schedule allows them to adjust to their new orthodontic device without missing out on hanging out with friends, participating in their favorite activities, or taking on other commitments.
The first days and weeks after the braces are put on will be sore for your child. This is a natural and normal part of the process. You can help them cope by advising them to take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If they are experiencing discomfort after eating, they can rinse their mouth with a saltwater solution or apply an anesthetic like Anbesol or Orajel to relieve the soreness.
You should also make sure your child understands that wearing braces is a change in their daily habits. They will need to spend more time brushing and flossing their teeth. This is a big adjustment for many kids, and getting them used to this early on is important.
During the summer, your child will have plenty of opportunities to practice their new oral hygiene routine and will be able to develop good habits before they start school again. This will help them stick to their routine once their braces come off.
Another factor to consider is dietary restrictions when you have braces. It can be harder for your child to follow their usual diet during the fall and winter, especially if they attend holiday gatherings.
The best foods for braces include fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Sticky, hard, crunchy, and chewy foods should be avoided to prevent causing damage to the teeth and gums.
Most kids will need braces sometime between 10 and 14, which is the best time to get braces. This is because the last baby teeth have already fallen out & their adult teeth are beginning to come in, making it easier for orthodontists to apply the necessary pressure to shift them into their final places. Plus, the mouth & head of a 10 to 14-year-old is still growing & developing.
Crowded or overlapping teeth are difficult to clean properly, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay & gum disease. Braces can correct this & improve the overall health of your child’s smile by giving them straighter, healthier teeth that are easy to keep clean.
Getting braces doesn’t have to be a big deal, especially in the era of new orthodontic technology. Today, braces are smaller, more comfortable & more stylish than ever. However, they need to be worn consistently for the duration of treatment to work properly. This can be a challenge for some children, especially at school. If they have standard metal braces, then they will need to be careful not to eat hard or sticky foods that can get stuck in the hardware & cause problems. They will also need to learn how to brush & floss effectively around their braces to avoid food build-up.
If they have clear aligners, then this will not be as much of a problem as with traditional braces. It is still important for them to brush their teeth twice a day, especially after meals, & to floss daily using a water flosser or a floss threader that can get between the wires & the tight spaces of the teeth.